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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






2. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






3. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






4. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






5. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






6. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






7. Two or three melodic lines played at the same time.






8. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






9. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






10. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






11. The movement of chords in succession.






12. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






13. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






14. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






15. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






16. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






17. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






18. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.






19. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






20. A composition written for nine instruments.






21. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






22. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






23. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






24. Closing section of a movement.






25. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






26. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






27. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






28. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






29. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






30. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






31. A short or brief sonata.






32. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






33. The highest female voice.






34. A person with notable technical skill in the performance of music.






35. Music written to be sung or played in unison.






36. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






37. A composition written for eight instruments.






38. A piece of music played at the end of a recital responding to the audiences enthusiastic reaction to the performance - shown by continuous applause.






39. Music written for chorus and orchestra. Most often religious in nature.






40. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






41. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






42. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






43. A form of writing for vocals that is close to the manner of speech and is rhythmically free.






44. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






45. A group singing in unison.






46. System of notes or tones based on and named after the key note.






47. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






48. A song or hymn celebrating Christmas.






49. A symbol indicating to play loud.






50. Primary theme or subject that is developed.